Fine Art Gallery – Grand Opening

Just wanted to let all of our friends and neighbors know that Elite PhotoArt is opening a new Fine Art Gallery downtown Springfield, MO. It is located on 325 East Walnut Stree and will open on October 3, 2008. Elite PhotoArt Fine Art Gallery is a member of the First Friday Artwalk.

Elite PhotoArt Fine Art Gallery Press Release

Elite PhotoArt Website

417-862-1570

Fine Art Prints from Yvonne Ayoub

Yvonne has a wonderful eye for the arts and lives in a very beautiful part of the world where inspiration comes abundant.  She is so talented creating works of art in many different mediums such as pastels, pen and ink, digital art and photography.  Yvonne’s work caught my eye and we quickly became friends.  She has been very helpful in our quest to get our work published and more recognized.

Yvonne’s Bio:

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, of Austrian and English descent, Yvonne Ayoub is
classically trained in the Visual, Performing and Creative Arts.

After a successful career as a ballet dancer, performing on stage & television and teaching dance for many years, she, with her Lebanese husband, built and ran a successful, London-based Print and Design company, while raising their two children. Having travelled extensively since childhood, the one constant in her life, from her earliest years, has been her passion for painting and drawing.

Today, as full-time established artist, illustrator, muralist and photographer, Yvonne works mostly to commission, in a wide variety of media, using a broad range of artistic disciplines. With her imaginative use of colour and keen observation skills, she seeks in her work to reflect and promote the rich diversity of the many fascinating cultures she has experienced throughout the wider global community. Constantly seeking artistic inspiration, Yvonne now divides her time between her homes in central London and the beautiful island of Skiathos, Greece.

Yvonne’s Work:

You can see more of Yvonne’s work and purchase framed artwork from her gallery on ImageKind.  Also, please visit Yvonne’s blog and website!

How to Make Sketches From Your Favorite Photos

Make sketches from your favorite photographs.
Here is a really neat program that will allow you to make a nice sketch of your favorite photograph. The program simulateboth color and B&W in pencil and a watercolor effect. 

The program is called AKVIS Sketch.  AKVIS makes many other programs and plug-ins that are fantastic.

See the photos below for a before and after action.

Normal Photograph of Crystal Mill, Colorado (image by William Roberts)

Image after applying AKVIS Sketch program.

Check out AKVIS for yourself. There are many adjustments and many options with this program.

AKVIS and AKVIS Sketch are trademarks of AKVIS and are only used in this example to highlight their products.

Winter is Here

The winter months means staying in for many people however some of the most beautiful images can be captured in winter. I can’t wait for snow this year to try and capture some breathtaking images.

Merry Christmas to all from Elite PhotoArt

Here is Christmas shot for you to look at on this wonderful day of Christmas.

Merry Christmas to All!

New Photos Posted to Flickr

Early morning photos in downtown Springfield, Missouri. There was an early morning fog that I couldn’t resist getting up at 4:30 AM for.

How to make this Image:

In Photoshop, first start with a color photo, duplicate the layer, turn the top layer into a b&w using your technique of choice then add a layer mask to the top layer. Using the standard paint brush in various sizes, harshness and flow rates, remove some of the top layer to let the color come through.

I used an HDR shot for this image but you don’t have to. An HDR shot just made the sign and lights more intense.
Enjoy the photos!!